2.3L ('83-'97) Carb issue?

[Otto57]

I have a 1988 ranger with a 2.3 from a 77 pinto. Roller cam and followers from a 94 and a ported head. It has a holley 5200 carb and I'm try to figure out my severe hesitation problem. Jet size maybe? Seems to run a little better with timing way advanced. At low speed it runs good til I accelerate hard or try to wind it out and it sputters like it is starving for fuel. I noticed my clear fuel filter does not seem to have a constant flow going. Is that normal? Fuel pump is new, so is entire ignition system. Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[RonD]

All Carbs have an Accelerator Pump to squirt in extra fuel instantly when throttle plate is opened, or opened more, at any speed.

Good read here on what happens in the carb, and to the fuel mix, when accelerating: https://www.carburetor-blog.com/knowledge-base/5200-pump/


Spark advance
When you accelerate the fuel mix goes Rich which means less spark advance(rich mix burns faster)
Distributor vacuum advance holds spark advance high for regular fuel mix, vacuum drops when accelerating which reduces spark advance for the richer faster burning fuel mix
You should use regular vacuum for vacuum advance, not Ported vacuum, IMO
But some distributors were made to use Ported Vacuum, so thats what you need to use
If you are not sure which to use try both and see what works better...............with base timing set

As long as the float bowl is staying full carb will work as designed
Flow thru the filter will be based on the float/valve in the float bowl, if bowl is full then no flow from pump into filter, or very little at idle

 

[superj]

Accelerator pump

 

[Otto57]

Yes, I thought that myself. I think I got it all figured out. Had a lot of dirt in float bowl and cleaned it out and cleaned the jets. Seems to be running ok now. Gonna try to drive it to work in the morning and give it a good test.